FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
Philadelphia, July 2d, 1777.
Gentlemen,
Since our last of the 26th ult. which mentions the enemy being retreated to Amboy, we have to inform you, that General Washington dismissed the Jersey militia, except about 2000, and likewise countermanded the reinforcement of 3000 men from General Putman's Division, at Peekskill. We suppose General Howe to be apprized of these circumstances, as he immediately after returned with his whole force from Amboy, and made an attempt to cut off a Division of our army under General Sterling, but without success. For particulars we refer you to General Washington's letters, in the newspapers of the 3d inst.
A letter from General Washington, just received, informs us, that the enemy have totally evacuated the Jerseys, and are retreated to their last year's quarters on Staten Island.
We enclose to you commissions and instructions for Ralph Izard and William Lee; the first, appointed commissioner to the Court of Tuscany, and the latter to the Courts of Vienna and Berlin. Their instructions are so intimately connected with your own, that we have thought proper to send them open to your confidential care, that you may give information to the gentlemen, and take every due step to forward the execution of the intention of Congress.
B. HARRISON,
R. MORRIS,
T. HAYWARD,
J. LOVELL.
COUNT DE VERGENNES TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
Translation.
Versailles, 16th July, 1777.
Gentlemen,
You cannot forget, that at the first conversation I had with both of you, I assured you, that you should enjoy in France, with respect to your persons, every security and comfort, which we showed to foreigners; and as to your commerce and navigation, we would grant every facility compatible with the exact observation of our treaties with England, which the king's principles would induce him religiously to fulfil. In order to prevent every doubt, with respect to the vessels that may participate in the favors, which we grant in our ports to nations in amity, I pointed out to you the article of the treaty, which forbids the power of allowing privateers free access into our ports, unless through pressing necessity, as also with respect to the deposit and sale of their prizes. You promised, gentlemen, to conform thereto.
After so particular an explanation, we did not press the departure of the ship Reprisal, which brought Mr Franklin to France, because we were assured it was destined to return with merchandise. We had quite lost sight of this vessel, and imagined she was in the American seas, when, with great surprise, we understood that she had entered L'Orient, after taking several prizes. Orders were immediately given, that she should depart in twentyfour hours, and to conduct her prizes to the only admiralties, that were authorised to judge of their validity. Captain Wickes complained of a leak. Being visited by proper officers, his allegation was found to be legal, and admissible, the necessary repairs were permitted, and he was enjoined to put to sea again.
After such repeated advertisements, the motives of which you have been informed of, we had no reason to expect, gentlemen, that the said Mr Wickes would prosecute his cruising in the European seas, and we could not be otherwise than greatly surprised, that, after having associated with the privateers, the Lexington and Dolphin, to infest the English coasts, they should all three of them come for refuge into our ports. You are too well informed, gentlemen, and too penetrating, not to see how this conduct affects the dignity of the king, my master, at the same time it offends the neutrality, which His Majesty professes. I expect, therefore, from your equity, that you will be the first to condemn a conduct so opposite to the duties of hospitality and decency. The king cannot dissemble it, and it is by his express order, gentlemen, that I acquaint you, that orders have been sent to the ports, in which the said privateers have entered, to sequester, and detain them, until sufficient security can be obtained, that they shall return directly to their country, and not expose themselves, by new acts of hostility, to the necessity of seeking an asylum in our ports.
As to the prizes they may have taken, if they have brought them into our ports, they have orders to go out immediately, and the same conduct shall be observed towards any capture of any nation whatever. Such are the obligations of our treaties, conformable to our marine ordinances, which the king cannot by any means evade. It will be highly proper for you to make these intentions known, wherever you may think it most expedient, so that new privateers, from the example of the misconduct of those against whom we are obliged to be rigorous, may not expose themselves to the like embarrassments.
What I have the honor to inform you, gentlemen, of the king's disposition, by no means changes the assurances which I have been authorised to make you, at the time of your arrival, and which I again renew, for the security of your residence, and of all such of your nation whom it may suit to reside among us, as well as with respect to the commerce allowed of, which will meet with every facility on our part, that our laws and usages will permit.
I have the honor to be, &c.
DE VERGENNES.
TO COUNT DE VERGENNES.
Paris, 17th July, 1777.
Sir,
We are very sensible of the protection afforded to us, and to our commerce, since our residence in this kingdom, agreeable to the goodness of the king's gracious intentions, and to the law of nations; and it gives us real and great concern, when any vessels of war appertaining to America, either through ignorance or inattention, do any thing that may offend His Majesty, in the smallest degree. The Captains Wickes, Nicholson, and Johnson, have excused to us their returning to France, being chased into the channel, and close to your ports, by English men of war, of the truth of which we have no doubt, the Reprisal, particularly, having been obliged to throw her guns overboard, to facilitate her escape.
We had, some days before we were honored by your Excellency's letter, despatched by an express the most positive orders to them, to depart directly to America, which they are accordingly preparing to do, as your Excellency will see by the letter enclosed, which we have just received by the return of that express. We shall communicate His Majesty's orders to our friends residing in your ports, and acquaint the Congress with the same, to the end, that our armed vessels may be warned of the consequence that must attend an infringement of them. We doubt not but they will be henceforth strictly attended to; and we are willing and ready to give any security your Excellency may judge sufficient and reasonable, that, after being fitted and provisioned for so long a voyage, these vessels shall proceed directly to America, without making any other cruise on the coasts of England. We are thankful for the repeated assurances of His Majesty's protection continued to us, and such of our nation as may reside in France, and for the facilities indulged to our commerce, at this critical conjuncture, which will always be remembered in our country, with gratitude and affection.
We have the honor to be, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE.